Southern California basks in the beauty of poppies

April 8, 1997
Web posted at: 6:48 p.m. EDT (2248 GMT)

(CNN) -- A sea of deep orange is sweeping California's Antelope Valley, about 40 miles northeast of Los Angeles. A perfect existential lesson in beauty, the splendid California Poppies bloom briefly each spring, before fading back into the dry Mojave landscape.

The transitory paradise lures photographers from all around, who -- like hi-tech bumble bees -- carry the essence of the flowers away with them on film to blossom later in two dimensions.

"I see [the poppies] as evidence of a master artist and a master designer," said one shutterbug. "Being a person of religious conviction, I see evidence of God."

CNN's Anne McDermott visited the vibrant California State Poppy Reserve and brought back these images from photographer Tom Larsen. Be our guest and tiptoe through 'em.